‘Big Mac’ makes all-WAC

Garrett McIntyre isn’t allowing a year to go by without accomplishing something big in his football career.

As a senior at South Tahoe High, he was selected the Sierra Division Defensive Player of the Year on an 0-9 team.

Last year, after walking on at Fresno State, McIntyre earned a scholarship.

On Monday, the sophomore was selected on the Western Athletic Conference’s second team as a defensive lineman.

McIntyre’s 2003 statistics support the honor. Despite spraining an MCL in his right knee early in the season, McIntyre made 31 solo tackles, including nine quarterback sacks – five more than he had as a true freshman.

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“Wow … I was hoping I’d make it,” said McIntyre, whose team didn’t practice Monday and was unaware of the honor until early evening.

“After I took off the knee brace after two or three games, I kind of felt like my old self again.”

McIntyre said added preparation time each week set up his satisfying season.

“It started in my mind that I could make those plays,” McIntyre said. “I started studying more film, putting more work into the week and it started paying off on the weekends.”

On Sunday at the Bulldogs’ team banquet, McIntyre was presented with the Coaches’ Defensive Award.

The Bulldogs (8-5) still have a game remaining as they will meet UCLA (6-6) in the Silicon Bowl on Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

McIntyre wasn’t the only former Nevada prep football player honored by the WAC. Boise State’s Tim Gilligan, who prepped at Elko, was selected first-team receiver and second-team specialist and former Tonopah Chance Kretschmer of Nevada was chosen second-team running back.

Also, Nevada defensive end Jorge Cordova, linebacker Daryl Towns and offensive lineman Harvey Dahl were named to the first squad.